Budget airline Ryanair to charge for toilets

Last updated 01:13 08/04/2010

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One of Europe's biggest discount airlines, Ryanair, will charge passengers to use on-board toilets.

The Irish airline is planning to make its toilets coin-operated, forcing passengers to fork out 1 pound (NZ$2.28) or 1 euro (NZ$1.98) every time they want to spend a penny in the sky.

The extra charges, which come on top of separate fees for check-in baggage and snacks, will coincide with the reduction of some toilet facilities on Ryanair planes.

"By charging for the toilets we are hoping to change passenger behaviour so that they use the bathroom before or after the flight," Ryanair spokesman Stephen McNamara told the Daily Mail.

"That will enable us to remove two out of three of the toilets and make way for at least six extra seats."

The news came as the carrier came under fire for hiking fees for check-in baggage by 33 percent to 20 pound per bag.

Rochelle Turner, head of research for British consumer magazine Which? Holiday, said Ryanair was penalising families going on holiday.

"Flying with Ryanair is not always as cheap as it first appears and we would advise passengers to factor in these extra costs when choosing who to fly with this summer," she said.

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10 comments
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Expat Kiwi   #10   12:18 pm Apr 08 2010

What we all need to do, if we fly by this outfit, is to all leave our calling cards just before we depart the aircraft. ryanAir would think twice then !

Ash   #9   12:03 pm Apr 08 2010

Ryanair is great! cheap flights, no frills... it's like catching a bus to a different country. other airlines could learn from it

Antman   #8   12:01 pm Apr 08 2010

Pretty soon they'll start charging to use the Emergency Exit's....... In an emeregency!!!

FC_Shaza   #7   10:42 am Apr 08 2010

Wow this is really cut price airlines. I can only wonder at how much this may backfire on them. Imagine if people decided to releive themselves in their seats instead of use the toilet, im picking a huge cleanup bill.

J   #6   10:33 am Apr 08 2010

surely thats illegal

john   #5   10:08 am Apr 08 2010

Next thing they'll be charging for seat belts and the safety briefing. If you don't pay you'll have to sign a indemity form saying that if there's a crash or if you're inhured in flight it's your problem and your responsibility! Wonder how much they'll charge for soiling the seat? You get what you pay for.

Aaron   #4   09:59 am Apr 08 2010

Ryanair is only good for short weekend breaks. I never take hold baggage or it doesn't work out cheaper. You shouldn't need the toilet anyway if it's only an hour or two, plan ahead and go before boarding!

Neelish   #3   09:57 am Apr 08 2010

Ryanair is appalling, sometimes you might get a cheap flight but by the time you factor in the travel to and from the airport out of London, for example, and then the trip to and from the destination airport and city you're better off flying with a national airline like Air France or BA. At least you get free stow away baggage and a refreshment!

Zyan   #2   09:32 am Apr 08 2010

To elimintae any risk of dhydration, ALL passengers onboard Ryan Air will have to drink heaps of water provided free-of-charge!!

Jimmy   #1   09:28 am Apr 08 2010

This is typical of the travel experience on RyanAir, in my experience. It's grim.

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